PCI develops, maintains and disseminates the Body of Knowledge for the precast concrete structures industry. This is accomplished mostly through PCI Groups, such as Councils and Committees. These groups are made up of hundreds of volunteers representing all major stakeholders in the industry, investing more than 30,000 hours annually.
PCI has four basic types of groups which are described in detail in the PCI Group Operations Manual, which you can download below.
Councils > Committees > Subcommittees > Task groups
The PCI Board of Directors (BOD) and Executive Committee (EC) set the overall direction, policies, priorities and budgets for the Institute.
The 2016 PCI Chairman of the Board is Chuck Prussack, Oldcastle Precast, Inc.
Evaluates membership engagement, member value, and relevant membership issues. Develops and participates in implementing supporting programs when applicable.
Sets the strategic direction and oversees development of PCI’s resources and programs for business, safety, productions and field operations. (Ex of programs: Executive track at Conventions, discussion forums, annual financial survey)
Develops resources for the installation of precast concrete. (e.g. Erectors Safety Manual, Erectors Manual)
Collects and disseminates information regarding fiscal factors that affect financial performance. Provides education and information on methods for formulating contractual terms and conditions.
Develops and shares information, on regulatory issues, evaluates their effect on operations and fosters management’s commitment to safe and healthy workplace (e.g. Safety Manual).
Provides forums to communicate best practices that stimulate productivity improvements (e.g. Productivity tours and workshops).
Sets the strategic direction of PCI’s educational activities and programs (e.g. Continuing education, lunch and learns, Leadership PCI, Prestressed at universities, etc.)
Develops and oversees PCI’s continuing education programs for industry professionals. Manages PCI’s status as an approved continuing education provider for licensed architects and engineers.
Develops and oversees all programs that reach graduate and undergraduate students learning about precast/prestressed concrete (such as student design competitions) and programs that support academic professionals’ efforts to incorporate precast/prestressed concrete into university curricula (such as Prestressed-in-a-Box)
Oversees PCI’s quality personnel training programs, including Certified Field Auditor training, Plant Quality Control training (Level I, Level II, Level III). Prepares and publishes all PCI texts associated with these trainings.
Manages the Leadership PCI program, selects participants for each cohort based on yearly nominations, and organizes Leadership PCI events.
Sets the strategic direction of PCI’s Marketing Activities and develops the PCI Marketing Plan. This includes prioritization, coordination and budgeting for all marketing programs. (e.g. High Performance Marketing Campaign, PCI Design Awards)
Oversees the editorial content of Ascent magazine.
Oversees PCI’s awareness programs and activities (e.g. webinars, public relations, and industry tradeshows).
Oversees development of the PCI website and social media programs.
Conducts market research including the PCI annual market survey. Provide construction forecasts and develops metrics for PCI marketing programs.
Develops and executes strategic marketing for PCI Certification.
Develops resources and coordinates with other groups to incorporate sustainably into internal and external messaging.
Oversees the committees that develop and maintain PCI’s quality and certification programs, including the Plant Certification Committee, Quality Control Personnel Certification Committee, Erector Certification Committee, the QA 2020 Vision Committee and Tolerances Committee. The council is also responsible for administration of the T. Henry Clark Award.
Formulates and administers the PCI Plant Certification program and develops quality manuals (e.g. MNL 116, MNL 117).
Manages the PCI plant and erector personnel certification programs, including all examinations and certification requirements. (e.g. Plant personnel certifications: Level I, Level II, Level III, erector personnel certifications: Certified Field Auditor (CFA) and Certified Company Auditor (CCA) certifications).
Develops and administers both the Erector Certification and Erector Qualification Programs in order to provide assurance that the product quality created by stringent factory conditions continues into the field during installation.
Drives continuous improvement within all aspects of member companies to achieve a level of excellence exceeding PCI baseline requirements, further strengthening the value of membership in PCI (e.g. PCI QA 2020 Vision Program).
Manages and oversees the body of knowledge associated with the construction tolerances in the precast concrete structures industry (e.g. Tolerance manual).
Sets the strategic direction for, and oversees the research and development programs of the Institute. This includes major research projects and Daniel P. Jenny Fellowships.
The R&D Council often forms many subcommittees or task groups to oversee specific R&D projects. View a list of a list of R&D projects.
Sets the strategic direction for and oversees the technical aspects of the Institute. TAC also serves as the technical review group for the Institute’s Body of Knowledge.
Develops resources for the production and design of architectural precast concrete (e.g. Architectural Precast Concrete Manual)
Develops and reports information on the application of Building Information Modeling for precast concrete structures, while helping the precast industry use the latest technology, and aid in the development of that technology.
Tracks developments in blast resistance and progressive collapse criteria and develops resources for the precast industry to meet the developing requirements. (e.g. Blast Resistance Design Manual)
Reviews the ACI Building Code and Model Codes as to their impact on precast and prestressed concrete. Develops committee reports as required on the use and interpretation of these codes and initiate changes in the codes where appropriate. (e.g. Standard Design Practice)
Proposes research topics, educates, and develops guidelines and standard practices related to concrete materials technology. The committee also serves as a resource in emerging and existing concrete materials technology. (e.g. SCC Guidelines)
Develops resources on standard connection details, including illustrations, capacity and calculations of listed capacities. Serve as a clearing house for industry connection problems and inquiries. (e.g. Connections Manual)
Monitors the effect of fire codes and rating, test and insurance requirements on precast and prestressed concrete. Provides information which will be of assistance in obtaining realistic fire requirements, fire ratings and insurance rates for precast and prestressed concrete (e.g. Fire Resistance Manual).
Examines the use of Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) reinforcement for precast and prestressed concrete and provides information on timely developments in the use, availability and behavior of these materials.
Develops resources for the production and design of glass fiber reinforced concrete (e.g. GFRC manual).
To help train and motivate Hollow Core producers in effective marketing of Hollow Core solutions, and initiate and employ any technical matters that effect Hollow Core (e.g. Hollow-core manual)
Develops each edition of the PCI Design Handbook. Committee changes with each division (e.g. 8th edition is currently in development)
Serves as an advisory group for the PCI Journal and guides its editorial staff regarding technical issues, advertising and circulation promotion, and other pertinent matters
Reviews current design and detailing practices for precast, prestressed parking structures and identifies and addresses problems in structural performance and durability. Develops reports and recommendations leading to improved design and construction procedures (e.g. Parking Structures Recommended Practice)
Develops and updates recommendations for precast sandwich wall panels, with special attention to design recommendations for both cladding and load-bearing panels (e.g. SOA Sandwich Wall Panel Recommended Practice).
Study current practices in the design, manufacture and installation of prestressed concrete piling and develop technical reports that will help to expand usage and applications of prestressed concrete piling.
Develops resources for the design, fabrication and installation of prestressed concrete poles.
Reviews, evaluates and report on properties, test data and performance of prestressing steel, including topics such as relaxation, corrosion and fatigue; monitoring ASTM A416 and all other relative ASTM specifications, advocating changes when needed; advising producer members on proper handling, storage, general usage, safe practices, etc.
Reviews and disseminates available data pertaining to precast prestressed concrete earthquake-resistant design and construction, and makes recommendations. Develops industry resources on seismic design (e.g. Seismic Design Manual).
Leads and advocates the precast concrete industry’s contribution to developing a sustainable built environment and green building practices. Communicates and promotes the sustainable attributes of precast concrete products, systems, and services. Develops advancements to environmentally sound and sustainable practices in the design, procurement, production, transportation, and erection of precast concrete.
Develops resources to help designers plan and build with integrated precast structural and envelope systems or "total precast buildings"
To help train and motivate bridge producers in effective marketing of bridge solutions, and initiate and employ any technical matters that effect bridges.
Provides technical support for the specification, design, fabrication, construction and maintenance of precast and prestressed concrete in bridges and structures related to all forms of transportation systems. Coordinates with AASHTO Committee on Bridges and Structures, AREA Committee 8, and other responsible agencies in developing, reviewing, and revising standards, specifications and recommended procedures for use of precast and prestressed concrete in bridges and structures. (e.g. Bridge Design Manual)
Develops resources related to precast/prestressed pavement systems (e.g. SOA Report of Precast Concrete Pavements)
Develops resources related to precast/prestressed concrete piles (e.g. Piles Manual)